Brian Smith

Norene Cashen Smith's parents would say she's "different." She suspects it's a euphemism. View larger photo

Norene Cashen Smith is deep into the world of words, and that's just fine with the Detroit native; she always wanted to be a writer.

As a kid, she conducted interviews with her little sister and rattled off monologues into a tape recorder. She wrote books, lots of them, including one about a young girl in search of her identity.

Today, she's a freelance writer, poet, editor and writer-in-residence for InsideOut Literary Arts Project in Detroit. She counts her own book of poetry — The Reverse is also True, a compilation of 10 years of her work — among her many writing credits. Her poetry has also appeared in the arts journal Dispatch Detroit, where she served as contributing editor, and in Abandon Automobile: Detroit City Poetry 2001 and on thedetroiter.com.

Cashen Smith, who has bachelor's degree in English literature from Oakland University, has also written about arts and culture for pubs such as Metro Times, The Rocket out of Seattle and Your Flesh Magazine out of Los Angeles.

Besides her literary feats, she served as a linguist for the U.S. Army. During the late ‘80s, she was stationed in Germany and says the experience taught her discipline.

“It was my first exposure to really learning a second language, which has influenced my writing immensely,” she said.

Later, she saw her writing slip while working for publishing company Cengage Gale (formerly Thomson Gale), where she went from copy editor to sales manager. In 2005, after six years, she kissed the corporate life goodbye to refocus on writing.

Now living in Detroit with husband Brian Smith, managing editor for the Metro Times, and daughter Raven, Cashen Smith relishes her role as writer in residence for InsideOut, spending up to four days a week teaching Detroit students how to express themselves through poetry and creative writing.

“Everyone has a voice,” she says. “It's important for young people to realize the power of that and how to use it in ways that best serve them and the world around them.”

How do you recognize great writing?

When it makes you forget that someone created it. It seems like it's just been there forever.

What do people not “get” about poetry?

The world of poetry itself is splintered into different styles, traditions and philosophies. So people are “getting it” and “not getting it” all over the place. People should find beauty and reflection in poetry. They should be able to look into it and find themselves.

What is the most unusual place you've written poetry?

In a dark movie theater with a mini Moleskine notebook and a keychain flashlight.

How do you describe your style?

In flux. Trying to tell a story but constantly being interrupted by the words.

What is your favorite word?

Currently, it's “change.”

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

Don't ever stop reading.

Under what conditions are you most creative?

When I see, hear or read really good art.

What is your most treasured possession?

I have a collection of old Catholic medals and religious artifacts. The saints are like superheroes; they each have their own special powers.

What's your favorite hangout in Detroit?

The DIA. It has a captivating sculpture by Louise Bourgeois called “The Blind Leading the Blind.” It seems to change every time I see it.

First place you'd take an out-of-towner?

I've taken almost all of my guests to The Book Beat in Oak Park. Most of the out-of-towners I know like to read.

Do you have any tattoos?

Yes, my favorite one is a giant lotus.

What one word would your parents use to describe you?

Different. I suspect it's a euphemism.

What would you do if had to change careers?

Maybe I'd be a parking lot attendant. You could just sit there in a small space and write or read until someone came along to distract you. But, that's almost the same thing as being a writer.

Who is your favorite poet?

John Ashbery. Although, the more I read his poems, the less I understand them.

How would you sum up your feelings of Detroit in a line or two of poetry?

Two lines from a poem I wrote about Detroit for WDET (101.9 FM.): “Would you tell your story on piece of cardboard so strangers would hand you quarters?”

What's the best lesson you ever learned?

There's an old aboriginal saying that goes, “The more you know, the less you need.”

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I will have completed the book of short stories I'm currently writing. And I hope I'll continue to find ways to survive and still be involved with literature, either teaching or creating.